Replacing a 12ax7 tube.

[ScienceOne]

Well whats the deal, can I just use any 12ax7 tube to replace the one in my Tube MP. THere are a bunch of Telefunken 12ax7s on ebay, could i use those? Im clueless about this kind of thing. THanks a million.

 

[Slackmaster2K]

Sure, if you want! I don't know if companies like groovetubes and telefunken actually manufacture tubes, I bet they just "sort" them (e.g. quality control).

Replacing a tube is pretty hard. You pull the old one out and push the new one in With the ART Tube MP it's a *little* tricky because the cover is connected to the main board via a short ribbon cable, be careful when taking it apart that you don't force anything.

Also, the ART Tube MP isn't really a tube mic preamp...none of the cheap tube pres are "real"...the tube is just used to add a tube-like effect, the amplification is all solid state. I don't think that the tube makes a huge difference as long as it's not just plain bad. The one that came with mine made the thing sound like a tin can, it was horrible...replacing the tube got rid of that sound, but fundamentally it sounded about the same....which isn't too bad really.

Slackmaster 2000

 

[maskedman72]

changing a tube is as hard as changing a light bulb.
id put in a groove tube.

 

[ScienceOne]

alright guys thanks. really, would groove tubes be better? not telefunken?

 

[zer0sig]

i would go with slackmaster's feedback here-the plate voltage on the 12ax7 in a tube MP is ont NEARLY high enough to get the real tubehead-loved sonic qualities out-i believe plate voltage in the MP's is something on the order of 50 volts, whereas typical serious tube amps use more like 3-400 volts. i'm not saying every tube will sound IDENTICAL, but most of what is going to matter is having a tube that isn't garbage in it-a groove or ruby tube should do fine, and both are easily found anywhere that sells tube amps. i'm sure telefunken might be preferred by some people in certain applications, but without really running it to spec, i can't see it making a serious difference. get whatever you want-i don't think there is a such thing as a magic tube when they're pumped at like 1/6 or less of spec plate voltage.